Roller seat, and carrier for a very-large-capacity tool and material holder also mountable atop a step ladder

ABSTRACT

A combination (i) roller seat and (ii) tool and material carrier is preferably used with a hollow body tool and material holder detachably mountable to the upper region of an open step ladder. The combination roller seat and carrier has a substantially planar base with a structure in the shape of a truncated frustum attached to and extending above the base, this structure occupying a same shape and volume as does a truncated frustaconical upper region of a open step ladder. Wheels to the base permit a person to sit upon the top of the structure while the base rolls upon the wheels, making thereby a roller seat. When the hollow body tool and material holder detachably mountable to the upper region of the open step ladder is alternatively mounted over the structure, the structure serves at least indirectly to hold any tools and materials that are also held by this hollow body holder.

RELATION TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is related as a continuation-in-part toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/735,029 filed on Dec. 11, 2000 for aFLEXIBLE TRUNCATED-PYRAMIDALLY-SHAPED TOOL AND MATERIAL HOLDER WITH ADISTENDED PAINT PAIL POUCH FOR REMOVABLE USE ATOP A STEP LADDER nowissued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,654,941, and also to Ser. No. 10/074,058 filedon Feb. 11, 2002, for a FREE-STANDING VERY-LARGE-CAPACITY FLEXIBLEMODULAR TOOL AND MATERIAL HOLDER SELECTIVELY MOUNTABLE ATOP A STEPLADDER. Both prior applications are to the same inventor as the presentapplication. The contents of the related predecessor patent and patentapplication are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally concerns roller trucks and caddys as arecommonly used by mechanics and other craftsman to sit upon, and to holdtools and/or materials, during the course of their work.

The present invention particularly concerns a roller seat that is also acarrier for a very-large-capacity tool and material holder which holdercan be, alternatively to being mounted upon the roller carrier,mountable atop a step ladder.

2. Description of the Prior Art

2.1 Tool Holders Mountable to Ladders and Step Ladders

The roller carrier of the present invention will be seen to mount, andto be compatible with, a tool holder otherwise mountable to a ladder,and more particularly a step ladder.

Ladders have been employed since their inception to place a worker intoproximity to an elevated surface or article that needs be physicallymanipulated, such as for purposes of painting, plumbing, wiring etc. Ofthe several well-known styles of ladders available, a step-ladderconsists of (i) a fixed ladder member which is joined to (ii) asupporting member having dimensions and construction similar to that ofthe fixed ladder portion but designed primarily as a support. The (i)fixed ladder member and the (ii) supporting member are joined by asuitable hinge, transverse to the long axis of both members, such thatthe ladder member and support member may be opened with respect to oneanother, forming thereby an essentially A-frame configuration. A topstep is usually provided at the external apex of the “A”.

This step ladder provides the ability to elevate ones-self in theabsence of a fence, wall or other structure normally required when usinga fixed ladder alone. It is to users of the step-ladder which thepresent invention is directed, but the principles of the presentinvention, particularly in the aspect of its paint pail pouch, areanticipated to be useful on the other types of ladders as well, and itwould be unnecessarily restrictive to view the particular application ofthe present invention to step ladders as is taught within thisspecification as being delimiting of the invention.

One of the problems individuals who find themselves on ladders regularlyencounter is that they must prevent themselves from falling from theladder while performing the task at hand. Additionally, a variety ofhand-implements are often required to carry out various tasks to theircompletion. From a statistical standpoint, the probability of anindividual having a mishap varies directly as the number of times anindividual goes up and down from the ladder in connection with a job.Therefore, if it were possible to minimize the number of up-and-downtrips an individual was required to make in the normal course ofcarrying out tasks from a ladder, then the probability of a mishap couldbe accordingly minimized.

One way to minimize the number of up-and-down trips required to carryout a task is to provide every tool and/or material needed for a givenjob in close proximity to the location atop the ladder where the workeris situated. However, while the prior art contains many different typesof devices aimed at this end, none has been successful in design both soas to be (i) ergonomically effective, and (ii) sufficientlycost-effective of manufacture so as to be widely adopted.

A review of some of the criteria that a ladder, or step-ladder, toolholder would desirably realize is useful. Flexible and removable,fabric-type, holders seemingly offer a large holding capacity, but theseholders tend not to maintain a defined volume, and are subject tocollapsing inward. This is adverse in that even a loaded holder shouldbe capable of being slipped into position on or atop a step ladder byuse of but one hand, making that the holder must maintain itself openand ready to receive mounting upon the step ladder. Moreover, a holderremoved from a ladder mounting should not slump or collapse socompletely that held objects such as tools become dislodged.

An optimally commodious tool holder would seemingly best make good useof every one of the five exterior surfaces of defined by the volume inthe shape of a truncated four-sided pyramid at the top of a step ladder.Use of the substantially flat top surface to the step ladder isimmediately problematic. Should this surface be left unencumbered sothat it may be stood upon, or should it be adapted for holding objectsor things?

Finally, the retention of paint cans and pails both large and small ispotentially challenging to flexible fabric holders, especially as thesecontainers and their contents would desirably be held level.

Attempts to solve these challenges are shown in various issued UnitedStates patents.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,419 to Campagna, et al. for a LADDER POUCH shows anelongate, flexible sheet having a first end, a midpoint, a second end, afirst side, and a second side. A first engagement structure, such ashook and pile fastening material, is located on the first side of theelongate, flexible sheet between the midpoint and the first end. Asecond engagement structure, complimentary with the first engagementstructure, is located on the second side of the sheet proximate itssecond end. Multiple pockets are disposed on or integral with the firstside of the sheet. The pockets can be open-mouthed or include coveringflaps.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,383 to Armstrong for a LADDER SADDLE DEVICE shows aholder device containing various work implements designed for use byworkers who regularly use ladders. The device holds the implements insuch fashion as to be ergonomically accessible while maintaining areduced center of gravity and hence increased stability of theladder/device combination as a whole. Use of this device is claimed toincrease safety while being cost-effective enough in its construction tobe readily employed by workers in various crafts and professions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,101 to Taggart for an ADAPTABLE CARRIER APPARATUSshows a tool and material carrier adaptable for use on a variety ofplatforms such as four and three legged step ladders, extension ladders,universal or hinged ladders, platform ladders, scaffolding and the like.The carrier is made of a foldable body which conforms to variousplatform deigns. A multiple strap system having quick lock and releaseconnectors secures the carrier to the various platforms. The front ofthe body includes a multi-tiered system of pouches and holders for toolsand materials. The rear of the body includes additional pouches orholders. The carrier includes a holster for gun shaped tools. Anelectric cord holder provided with or separately from the carrier holdsan electric cord close to the working elevation of the platform. Theelectric cord holder includes a foldable strap having two portions whichare mated when the strap is folded to form an opening smaller than thehead of an electric cord to secure the electric cord between the twoportions. Modular, task-specific, attachments to the carrier provideadditional versatility such as an attachable mud pan and mud knifeholder or an attachable butane torch holder.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,437 to Weller for a FREE-STANDING LADDER SUPPORTEDTOOL HOLDER concerns a non-obstructive tool holder which holds tools ona free-standing ladder, e.g. a step-ladder. The tool holder isconfigured so avoid obstruction of normal use of the free-standingladder. The tool holder has a skirt including a front side sheet, a rearside sheet, a left side sheet, and a right side sheet connected togetherat sides thereof to form a generally tubular structure having a topopening and a bottom opening. The skirt narrows towards the top thereof.The front side sheet, the rear side sheet, the right side sheet, and theleft side sheet each are made of a substantially flat but flexiblematerial. The sides include pockets, and/or other supports, for holdingtools. The top opening exposes the top platform of the ladder. A handleextends across the top opening, the bottom of the handle rests on thetop platform of the free-standing ladder so that the top platform willremain unobstructed in normal use of the free-standing ladder. Inaddition, the front side sheet is shortening and includes an elasticportion whereby the use of the ladder is further unobstructed.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,453 to Cassells for a MULTI-PURPOSE LADDERAPRON shows a multi-purpose ladder utility apron having four sidepanels, each adapted with a plurality of tool and accessory receptacles.The apron further includes a fold up storage tray on the ladder's topproviding additional temporary storage space. Closure flaps and strapssecure the apron to the ladder whether in its open or closed positionsuch that the subject invention may be secured to the ladder during use,transport and storage and may be quickly removed for laundering. Anoptional lid is also pivotally attached to the apron and folds out toprovide a work shelf. The apron's design accommodates use of theladder's own fold-down shelf and permits use of all steps withoutsacrificing storage space for tools and the like. The apron may stillfurther be adapted with a power receptacle so that power tools caneasily be interchanged without disengaging the extension cord.

The prior art in general variously shows ladder-mounted tool holderswith various accommodations to holding and supporting various specialthings, mostly tools and materials. The mode and manner by which aneconomically-constructed flexible fabric-based tool holder mightreliably function both on and off a ladder, and particularly a stepladder, could, however, use improvement.

2.2 Roller Seats and Tool Holders

Various rolling seats and sliders are known for supporting automechanics and other tradesman in positions convenient to the work pieceduring their labors.

Rolling tool chests and tool holders and the like are also known.

Finally, tool holders that are specialized to fit onto, or at the topsof, ladders, including step ladders, are known.

However, to the best knowledge of Applicant these functions are not,insofar as is possible, known to be combined, which is the subject ofthe present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention particularly concerns a roller seat that is also acarrier for a very-large-capacity tool and material holder which holdercan be, alternatively to being mounted upon the roller carrier,mountable atop a step ladder.

The tool holder is removably mountable to the top of a step ladder, andis in the substantial shape of a frustum having an open base. The tollholder serves to hold tools and like implements, and paint cans and likesupplies, for use by painters and electricians and other individualswhen, in the course of their work, these persons stand on upon the stepladders. In accordance with related inventions, a particular tool holderis both versatile and convenient for each of (1) carrying and (2)organizing and (3) holding various work supplies and work implements bydint of incorporating (a) variably sized and distending pockets, (b)variable numbers of pockets, and/or (c) attachable pockets and/orholders tailored to the particular tools or materials sought to be held.

Use of this particular advanced ladder-top tool holder is not mandatedwith the roller seat and carrier of the present invention, but thepreferred embodiment of the roller seat and carrier is both (1)compatible with, and (2) complimentary to, this advanced tool holder.Namely, the roller seat and carrier mounts and retains the advanced tooland material holder in both its laden and un-laden state. It rolls, andeven supports a seated tradesman, while so doing. The roller seat andcarrier has integral storage compartments suitable to hold detachableportions (such as pouches, pockets and tool jigs) and/or materials fromthe advanced tool and material holder and, conversely, to offer upstored tools and materials to the holder. All interchange of tools andmaterials may thus be conveniently done, and at ground level, as opposedto at the top of the step ladder, or to a removed tool holder that iscollapsed in a heap. Moreover to the convenient interchange of helditems, the advanced ladder-top tool and material holder is readilymountable to, and detachable from, its complimentary roller seat andcarrier—expediting work. Finally, contents of a tool and material holder(detachably) mounted to the roller seat and carrier may—in addition toconsiderable items that may be held and stored upon the roller seat andcarrier itself—be conveniently used to support work at ground level.

Time and motion observations of, in particular, persons working at highand at low elevations on walls—such as dry wallers and carpenters andpainters—either have to (1) carry upon their person a sometimesinordinate amount of tools and materials (which is naturally tiring), orelse (2) hazard that some tool, or some material, wanted at one positionis unfortunately located at another position (necessitating transition,which is also tiring). Weight, volume and flow of materials—particularlyconsumables—precludes that everything in use should be duplicated (ormultiply replicated) at differing heights along the wall. Watching atradesman (1) gather up in his or her hands tools and parts at one worklocation, to (2) move to another temporary work location, only to findthat (3) something has been forgotten, and must be retrieved from thefirst location, has been motivation for the present invention. Thepresent invention is directed not only to make it as easy, efficient andeffective as possible to (1) re-locate work from, say, three meters atopa step ladder to zero meters and then back to three meters, but, also,to (2) re-locate ongoing work from one location, whether atop a stepladder or not, to another, potentially quite distant location, in one(only) trip. Basically, a toll and material carrier—which may be quiteheavy—is off-loaded by a tradesman from step ladder onto the roller seatand carrier of the present invention, and the tradesman folds andcarries the ladder while pushing with the feet, or pulling with a cord,the loaded roller seat and carrier. Quite heavy, and extensive, loadsmay be safely moved in this manner.

1. A Combination (i) Roller Seat and (ii) Tool and Material Carrier

Accordingly, in one of its aspects the present invention is embodied ina combination (i) roller seat and (ii) tool and material carrier for usewith a hollow body tool and material holder detachably mountable to theupper region of an open step ladder.

The preferred embodiment of the combination roller seat and carrier hasa substantially planar base with a structure in the shape of a truncatedfrustum attached to and extending above the base. This structureoccupying the same shape and volume as does a truncated frustaconicalupper region of a open step ladder. There are wheels to the base.

By this construction a person may sit upon the top of the structurewhile the base rolls upon the wheels, making thereby a roller seat.

Additionally, and independently, an external hollow body tool andmaterial holder otherwise detachably mountable to the upper region ofthe open step ladder can, alternatively to being so mounted upon thestep ladder, be mounted over the structure, making thereby that thestructure serves at least indirectly to hold any tools and materialsthat are also held by this hollow body holder.

The combination roller seat and carrier preferably includes a planarextension region to the base extending beyond a region where the baseattaches the structure in the shape of a truncated frustum. Thisextension region provides a level surface upon which tools and materialsmay be placed exclusively of the frustum structure or of any externalholder mounted upon the frustum structure.

The combination roller seat and carrier is preferably useable with aparticular type of hollow body tool and material holder detachablymountable to the upper region of the open step ladder which particulartype of holder also has an extending pouch capable of holding a paintcan. When this paint can holder is mounted to the combination rollerseat and carrier the planar extension region to the base is of suitable(i) elevation above the base, (ii) size and (iii) shape so as to supportthe pouch of the holder and any paint can that is within the pouch.

Further, the frustum structure to the base is preferably hollow, andopen along at least one side surface so that tools and materials can bestored to the interior of the hollow frustum structure.

Still further, this frustum structure to the base has and defines init's upper surface a slot through which fingers of the hand may bepassed, thus to serve as a handle, at least such times as the holder isnot mounted to the frustum structure.

The combination roller seat and carrier preferably further includesposts extending downwards from the base. These posts serve, incombination with the wheels, to prevent that the combination roller seatand carrier should tip over nonetheless that holder, and any tools andmaterials held by the holder, be attached to the frustum structure.

This combination roller seat and carrier may preferably be used with ahollow body tool and material holder having attaching straps, in whichcase it possesses apertures defined by, and in, any one or ones of thebase and the frustum structure. These apertures pass the straps of theholder so as to secure the holder to the frustum structure.

2. A Modular Ladder Apron

In another of its aspects the present invention is embodied in acombination (i) roller seat and (ii) tool and material carrier that bothholds and rolls.

In the preferred embodiment, a substantially planar base has andpresents both an upper surface with adjacent first and second regions,and a lower surface.

A hollow structure in the substantial shape of a truncated frustum isaffixed to the planar base in the base's first region. It there servesto suitably holding tools and materials within its hollow interior whilepresenting a substantially flat upper surface suitable to serve as aseat.

Meanwhile the bases's second upper surface region is adjacent to thehollow structure, and suitable to support tools and materials.

Wheels to the base permit that a person may sit upon the top of thestructure while the base rolls upon the wheels, making thereby a rollerseat. Concurrently, an external hollow body tool and material holderotherwise detachably mountable to the upper region of the open stepladder can, alternatively to being so mounted upon the step ladder, bemounted over the structure, thus making thereby that the structureserves at least indirectly to hold any tools and materials that are alsoheld by this hollow body holder.

These and other aspects and attributes of the present invention willbecome increasingly clear upon reference to the following drawings andaccompanying specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustrationonly and not to limit the scope of the invention in any way, theseillustrations follow:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofa combination (i) roller seat and (ii) tool and material carrier inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the same preferred embodimentof the combination (i) roller seat and (ii) tool and material carrier inaccordance with the present invention previously seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of the base of the preferredembodiment of the combination (i) roller seat and (ii) tool and materialcarrier in accordance with the present invention previously seen inFIGS. 1 and 2 with optional anti-tilt bumpers.

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the mating of a hollow body tool andmaterial holder, otherwise detachably mountable to the upper region ofan open step ladder, to the preferred embodiment of the combination (i)roller seat and (ii) tool and material carrier in accordance with thepresent invention previously seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a detail exploded view of a body, and two support braces, of amost preferred embodiment of the combination (i) roller seat and (ii)tool and material carrier in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a detail exploded view continuing from FIG. 5 and now furthershowing a left and a right side panel of a most preferred embodiment ofthe combination (i) roller seat and (ii) tool and material carrier inaccordance with the present invention

FIG. 7 is a detail exploded view continuing from FIG. 6 and now furthershowing a seat of a most preferred embodiment of the combination (i)roller seat and (ii) tool and material carrier in accordance with thepresent invention

FIG. 8 is a detail exploded view continuing from FIG. 7 and now furthershowing the rollers of a most preferred embodiment, shown inverted, ofthe combination (i) roller seat and (ii) tool and material carrier inaccordance with the present invention

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated forthe carrying out of the invention. This description is made for thepurpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, and isnot to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is bestdetermined by reference to the appended claims.

1. Objects of the Invention

In accordance with the shortcomings contained in the prior art, it is anobject of the present invention to provide a convenient device throughthe use of which building tradesmen may extend the use of a tool andmaterial caddy used atop a step ladder to floor level, thereby tominimize the number of up-and-down ladder trips required to do the same,or like, tasks with the same, or like, tools using the same, or likematerials, at both elevated and floor levels.

It is an object of this invention to provide a means for caddying toolsand materials used by building tradesmen from ladder to ladder, and/orto the same ladder as is differently located at different times.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a means for caddyingtools and materials used by building tradesmen which is ergonomicallysound, and by which considerable weight of tools and/or materials maysupported for rolling transport, and without fear of spillage.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a rolling seat forbuilding tradesmen, which seat can be used for work or for rest, and tomove across a floor to access a work piece or work piece locations.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a rollingstorage container for building tradesmen, which storage container can beused so store and to move diverse items, particularly as may beinterchanged with and/or used to replenish like items held in a tool andmaterial caddy used atop a step ladder.

The objects of this invention are achieved by providing a a combinationroller seat and carrier has a substantially planar base with a structurein the shape of a truncated frustum attached to and extending above thebase. This structure occupies the same shape and volume as does atruncated frustaconical upper region of a open step ladder. There arewheels to the base. When a tool and material caddy otherwise used atop astep ladder is placed upon the frustum, all the contents thereof, aswell as the contents of the roller seat and carrier itself, are heldaccessible, and may be transported by rolling. A building tradesman maysit atop the combination roller seat and carrier whether or not the tooland material caddy is affixed, and for moving while sitting proximate toa floor-level work piece in the manner of an auto mechanics creeper ifdesired.

2. Basic Structure and Theory of the Combination Roller Seat and Carrierof the Present Invention

A preferred embodiment of a combination (i) roller seat and (ii) tooland material carrier in accordance with the present invention is shownin diagrammatic perspective view in FIG. 1. The combination roller seatand carrier 1 has a substantially planar base 11 with an affixedstructure 12 in the shape of a truncated frustum attached to andextending above the base 11. This structure 11 preferably occupies thesame shape and volume as does the truncated frustaconical upper regionof a open step ladder. It is thus suitably compatible to receive, and tomount, tool and material caddy 2 (shown in FIG. 4, not part of thepresent invention) otherwise, and at other times, mounted and used atopa step ladder (not shown).

An exemplary tool and material caddy with which the structure 12 of thecombination roller seat and tool and material carrier 1 of the presentinvention may be beneficially employed is taught in each of U.S. Pat.No. 6,654,941 for a FLEXIBLE TRUNCATED-PYRAMIDALLY-SHAPED TOOL ANDMATERIAL HOLDER WITH A DISTENDED PAINT PAIL POUCH FOR REMOVABLE USE ATOPA STEP LADDER, and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,058 filedon Feb. 11, 2002, for a FREE-STANDING VERY-LARGE-CAPACITY FLEXIBLEMODULAR TOOL AND MATERIAL HOLDER SELECTIVELY MOUNTABLE ATOP A STEPLADDER, now published. The contents of this related predecessor patent,and patent application, are incorporated herein by reference.

A person may also sit upon this affixed structure 12, both with andwithout a tool and material caddy mounted. The structure 12 is hollow asillustrated, and may receive and store items particularly includingtools and materials.

There is preferably a level, and normally slightly elevated, extensionregion 111 on the base 11. It is in this region that any five gallonpail, or the like optionally held in a pouch of the tool and materialcaddy 2 (shown in FIG. 4, not part of the present invention) will restwhen such caddy is mounted upon and used with the combination rollerseat and carrier 1. This extension region 111 is also clearly usable tosupport anything that may be set upon this region of the combinationroller seat and carrier 1.

The combination roller seat and carrier 1 has wheels 13, preferably fivein number with two pairs under the base 11 in the region of itsstructure 11, and one other—hidden in the view of FIG. 1—under theextension region 111 of base 11. The wheels 13 are best visible in theside view of FIG. 4.

Thus a person may sit upon the top of the structure 11 of thecombination roller seat and carrier while its rolls upon its wheels 13,making thereby a roller seat. The person may do so even while the hollowbody tool and material holder 2 (shown in FIG. 4, not part of thepresent invention) is mounted atop the frustum-shaped structure 11.Likewise, contents within the hollow frustum-shaped structure 11 cangenerally be accessed even when this tool and material holder 2 ismounted.

The same preferred embodiment of the combination (i) roller seat and(ii) tool and material carrier 1 in accordance with the presentinvention is shown in exploded perspective view in FIG. 2. Allstructural components are normally made from molded plastic, and areconnected by adhesive and by nuts and bolts (not shown). The base 111has a nominal dimension of 13½ inches wide by 19 inches long by ¾ inchthick. Other structural members are sized commensurately.

A detailed perspective view of the base 11 of the preferred embodimentof the combination (i) roller seat and (ii) tool and material carrier 13in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. As well asthe wheels 13, selected anti-tilt bumpers 14, normally three in number,are optionally affixed as indicated at bores A, B, and C of base 11. Thebumpers 14 are too short to interfere with the normal rolling motion ofthe roller seat and carrier 1, but improve its resistance to tippingover.

The mating of a hollow body tool and material holder 2—otherwisedetachably mountable to the upper region of an open step ladder—to thepreferred embodiment of the combination (i) roller seat and (ii) tooland material carrier 1 in accordance with the present invention isdiagrammatically shown in FIG. 4. Normally, and preferably, a tie downstrap 21 proceeds down the outside surface of structure 11, under thebase 11, and upwards through the hole 112 best seen in FIG. 3. It thereoptionally connects to tie down buckle 22, optionally securing thehollow body tool and material holder 2 to the roller seat and carrier 1.Affixation of the strap 21 and buckle 22 may alternatively be by actionof complimentary strips of hook-and-loop material respectively affixedto the strap 21 and to the buckle 22, normally by sewing.

Detail exploded views of a most preferred embodiment of the combination(i) roller seat and (ii) tool and material carrier in accordance withthe present invention are shown in FIGS. 5 through 8. The most preferredparts, and assembly steps, are illustrated.

The most preferred parts, and associated quantities, include thefollowing: 1. Body (1); 2. Rear Support Brace (1); 3. Right Side Panel(1); 4. Front Support Brace (1); 5. Left Side Panel (1); Seat (1); 7.Rear Wheels with U Clips (2); 8. Front Wheels (2) (attached by shortscrews); 9. Stops (Tilt Preventers) (2); 10. L Clips (2); 11. U Clips(3); 12. Long Screws (7) and 13. Short Screws (16). The ‘L’ and the ‘U’clips are positioned with their small holes to th

<< outside.

Before beginning assembly, and for easier assembly, the following shouldbe noted:

First, each main assembly part has a matching or counter part identifiedby an embossed letter located on the inside of each main piece.

Second, a power screwdriver is preferably not used when assembling thisproduct as a power screwdriver may strip threads.

Third, assembly should instead be with a hand screwdriver only. Do notover tighten screws.

Fourth, the U-Clips, L-Clips and Seat are snug fitting. The assemblermay need to use a mallet or household hammer to tap firmly to secureproper fit.

Fifth, the ‘U’ and ‘L’ clip holes should align with the holes in theplastic body. And for these ‘U’ and ‘L’ clips, the assembler should makesure each screw enters the small hole first and is threaded straight toand through the larger hole.

Sixth, the seat fits snugly. A rubber mallet may be used to tap the seatover the side panels' interlocking notches.

Seventh, the assembly hardware is located inside the tool compartmentduring shipment from the manufacturer to the final purchaser, assemblerand user.

In assembly sequence, as a first step refer to FIG. 5. The rear supportbrace is attached to the body with a U-clip and a long screw.

As a next, second, step refer to FIG. 6. The Right Side Panel isinserted into the channel grooves of the Rear Support Brace and attached(near its center) to the body with a U-clip and a long screw.

Further in the second step, the Front Support Brace is set into the twoslots (see FIG. 5) and into the Right Side Panel channel groove. TheLeft Side Panel is inserted into the channel grooves of the Rear SupportBrace. The Front Support Brace must be in place, and the Left and RightSide Panel 12 grooves will align with the Front Support Brace 11grooves. The Left Side Panel to is attached the Body with a U-clip and along screw.

As a next, third, step refer to FIG. 7. The seat is attached by matchingcorresponding features. A rubber mallet or household hammer is used totap the seat so the Side Panels' Interlocking Notches “lock” through theSeat's Open Notches. Finally , the seat is secured in place with L-clipsand with four (4) short screws provided for each clip.

In the fourth, and final, step refer to FIG. 8. The Rear Wheels areattached with U-clips and long screws. The assembler should make sureeach U-clip's small holes are to the outside. The Stops, or TiltPreventers, are then attached with long screws. The Front Wheels areattached with short screws, which should not be over tightened.

As a general assembly ‘tip’, when screws are inserted that should be“driven” straight or they will not align with the second hole. Theassembler should start over if the screw is not straight. Crooked screwswill not thread properly. As the screw enters the second hole theassembler should apply more pressure to set the screw. Do not overtighten screws. As a further assembly tip, screwdriver should be usedthat “fits” the screw head for better leverage and easier assembly. Allscrews should be inserted straight.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been described withreference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodimentsare by way of example only and are merely illustrative of but a smallnumber of the many possible specific embodiments to which the principlesof the invention may be applied. Various changes and modificationsobvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains aredeemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the inventionas further defined in the appended claims.

For example, the aspect ratios of the combined roller seat and carrier 1may be changed from those shown in the drawings without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

In accordance with the preceding explanation, variations and adaptationsof the flexible truncated-pyramidally-shaped tool and material holder inaccordance with the present invention will suggest themselves to apractitioner of the mechanical design arts.

In accordance with these and other possible variations and adaptationsof the present invention, the scope of the invention should bedetermined in accordance with the following claims, only, and not solelyin accordance with that embodiment within which the invention has beentaught.

1. A combination (i) roller seat and (ii) tool and material carrier foruse with a hollow body tool and material holder detachably mountable tothe upper region of an open step ladder, the combination roller seat andcarrier comprising: a substantially planar base; a structure in theshape of a truncated frustum attached to and extending above the base,this structure occupying a same shape and volume as does a truncatedfrustaconical upper region of a open step ladder; and wheels to thebase; wherein a person may sit upon the top of the structure while thebase rolls upon the wheels, making thereby a roller seat; and wherein ahollow body tool and material holder detachably mountable to the upperregion of the open step ladder can, alternatively to being mounted uponthe step ladder, be mounted over the structure, making thereby that thestructure serves at least indirectly to hold any tools and materialsthat are also held by this hollow body holder.
 2. The combination rollerseat and carrier according to claim 1 further comprising: a planarextension region to the base extending beyond a region where the baseattaches the structure in the shape of a truncated frustum, theextension region providing a level surface upon which tools andmaterials may be placed exclusively of the frustum structure or of anyexternal holder mounted upon the frustum structure.
 3. The combinationroller seat and carrier according to claim 2 for use with a hollow bodytool and material holder detachably mountable to the upper region of theopen step ladder which holder also has an extending pouch capable ofholding a paint can; wherein the planar extension region to the base isof suitable (i) elevation above the base, (ii) size and (iii) shape soas to support the pouch of the holder and any paint can that is withinthe pouch.
 4. The combination roller seat and carrier according to claim1 wherein the frustum structure to the base is hollow, and open along atleast one side surface so that tools and materials can be stored to theinterior of the hollow frustum structure.
 5. The combination roller seatand carrier according to claim 1 wherein the frustum structure to thebase has and defines in it's upper surface a slot through which fingersof the hand may be passed, thus to serve as a handle, at least suchtimes as the holder is not mounted to the frustum structure.
 6. Thecombination roller seat and carrier according to claim 1 furthercomprising: posts extending downwards from the base which posts serve,in combination with the wheels, to prevent that the combination rollerseat and carrier should tip over nonetheless that holder, and any toolsand materials held by the holder, be attached to the frustum structure.7. The combination roller seat and carrier according to claim 1 for usewith a hollow body tool and material holder having attaching straps, thecombination roller seat and carrier further comprising: aperturesdefined by, and in, any one or ones of the base and the frustumstructure which apertures pass the straps of the holder so as to securethe holder to the frustum structure.
 8. A combination (i) roller seatand (ii) tool and material carrier comprising: a substantially planarbase having and upper surface with adjacent first and second regions,and a lower surface; a hollow structure in the substantial shape of atruncated frustum, this structure affixed to the planar base in thebase's first region, this structure suitably holding tools and materialswithin its hollow interior while presenting a substantially flat uppersurface suitable to serve as a seat; wherein the bases's second uppersurface region is adjacent to the hollow structure, and suitable tosupport tools and materials; and wheels to the base; wherein a personmay sit upon the top of the structure while the base rolls upon thewheels, making thereby a roller seat; and wherein an external hollowbody tool and material holder otherwise detachably mountable to theupper region of the open step ladder can, alternatively to being somounted upon the step ladder, be mounted over the structure, makingthereby that the structure serves at least indirectly to hold any toolsand materials that are also held by this hollow body holder.